A 69-year-old man returning safely to his Beaverton group home a day after being reported missing, police said Friday.

Russell Welsh was spotted about 7:40 p.m. at the Rose Quarter Transit Center in Northeast Portland by a transit rider who recognized him from media reports, said Officer Jeremy Shaw, a Beaverton police spokesman. The rider then flagged down transit police, who then contacted Beaverton officers.

Welsh appeared to be in good condition, Shaw said.

Welsh, a veteran from The Dallas, was reported missing from his group home in the 11000 block of Southwest Marylyn Place Thursday afternoon, said Officer Mike Rowe, another Beaverton police spokesman. Welsh told people at the home he was stepping outside to smoke a cigarette, but then didn't return.

Why Welsh left the home is not known. He had no cash or cell phone with him when he left, Rowe said.

Officers and members of Beaverton's Community Emergency Response Team spent most of Friday searching Greenway Park, the Fanno Creek Trail and near Southwest 22nd Avenue and Hall Boulevard for signs of Welsh, but were unsuccessful.